Chapter Thirty-Five: The Noble Consort

  After the eunuch sent by Empress Dowager Cixi left, my mood all along the way was simply indescribable. What kind of person is Empress Dowager Cixi? Since I heard her quarreling with Consort Jing last time, I went back and inquired about their family backgrounds, it's really amazing, the world is indeed full of wonders.

  The imperial concubine surnamed Shen, her maiden name was Lì Tíng. This name actually matched her face quite well, who would have thought that this delicate and elegant woman had a fierce aura between her eyebrows and eyes.

  The Shen family has been a powerful and noble clan since the founding of the dynasty. It is said that during the early years of the country's establishment, Shen Fengyi, the ancestor of the Shen family, followed the emperor through thick and thin, and once single-handedly charged into the enemy camp to rescue the emperor who was surrounded and ambushed. After the country was stabilized, the emperor did not forget the kindness of that day and conferred upon Shen Fengyi the title of Duke Jing.

  To know the ancient enfeoffment, generally the title of a king with one character is a close relative of the emperor, such as King of Qin Li Shimin. The title of a king with two characters is a regional king, for example, King of Fengyang Guo Ziyi.

  Being able to be enfeoffed as a king was already the highest honor and power, and the emperor exceptionally used a one-character title for her, which is enough to prove that Shen Fengyi's position in the emperor's heart was like that of his own children.

  Not only that, after Shen Fengyi's death, the emperor fainted with grief in the imperial court, fell seriously ill for three days, and was heartbroken. To express his condolences, he even placed Shen Fengyi's memorial tablet in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, where it received the same imperial incense and kneeling worship as the emperors of past dynasties. The glory of the Shen family is self-evident.

  With such a family background and such nobility, it's no wonder that the imperial concubine wouldn't put anyone in her eyes, always with an arrogant attitude. Such a woman, such an identity, this is what people call a genuine official second generation, I am not worthy of competing with. Since she wants to see me today, I can only pray to heaven for protection, hoping that I haven't done too many bad things in the past and have some dignity to burst out.

  I followed the eunuch with a nervous heart, carefully trailing behind him. The eunuch, who was probably used to seeing people like me, urged and intimidated me with a few words, his eyes scanning over me with disdain. When we arrived at the palace of Consort Zheng, the eunuch told me to wait outside while he entered the courtyard to deliver the message.

  The buildings here in the palace are probably the most magnificent in the entire imperial palace. The crimson walls, rows of yellow glazed tiles, and gilded signboards naturally go without saying, shining so brightly that one can't open their eyes. Looking down at the ground, the newly laid and spotless stone slabs, each one made from intricately joined white marble, are not stained with a single speck of dust, reflecting the snow piled on both sides to form a white silk road.

  On both sides of the withered branches, however, were a hundred flowers in full bloom, shining brightly. Walking closer to take a look, it turned out that they were fake flowers made from colored silk and satin, tied together with such fine craftsmanship that it was hard to tell them apart from real ones. Such a grand project could probably only be seen in the Imperial Palace.

  Under the clear sky, the branches of flowers are calling each other, set against the flawless white jade-like silk road, which is extremely beautiful. If one end of the road is the mortal world, then the other end must be the fairyland.

  What a pity, just as they were walking along this road, a foul face appeared, and it was the eunuch who had just gone in to transmit the message.

  He walked quickly over, looked at me with an unwavering gaze that seemed to say "behave yourself", and said in a soft voice, "Let's go, what are you looking at? Princess Chen is waiting!"

  A person under another's roof cannot but bow their head, let alone I who am under the Empress Dowager's roof. Forget about bowing my head, as long as I can leave with my whole body intact, I wouldn't mind crawling out on all fours.

  "Calm down, be quiet, come on, don't be afraid!" I secretly encouraged myself in my heart, but my legs were already clearly not listening to me. Before even seeing the Empress, my legs had already gone soft, and as I walked, I stumbled and staggered.

  I trudged into the courtyard with heavy steps, turning left and right, and entered the main house. Zhen Fei was sitting high up, cracking melon seeds in her mouth while giving me a once-over with an air of disdain.

  "My humble servant greets Your Highness, Princess Chen! May you have good fortune and peace!" My true nature as a servant has burst out again, no matter how much Princess Chen dislikes me, it's always right to kneel down and pay respects first.

  "A few days ago, you were still feeling unwell, but today you seem to be in high spirits." Consort Chen stopped cracking melon seeds, probably because her mouth was dry from eating, and picked up her tea cup to take a sip of soda water.

  How should I respond to her without causing trouble? Oh no, I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to Mu Yan when I left, if only she were here, Mu Yan save me!

  No, no, I can't pray for someone who is not in front of me. It's better to rely on oneself than others. Rather than holding onto hope and waiting for unknown rescue, it's better to save oneself first.

  I took a deep breath and calmed myself down, but my mind was racing fast, thinking of ways to save myself.

  Ah! Got it, Mu Yan said in front of Empress Zheng that I was deaf, so why not try to pretend to be stupid and ignorant. If Empress Zheng still has a bit of humanity, she won't bother with the disabled.

  I'm best at keeping quiet, anyway, as long as I listen to what Consort Xian says, that's all.

  The Empress Dowager indeed treated me as an emotional trash can, ignoring my emotional changes, eating and drinking on her own, speaking on her own.

  "This servant's life has actually given birth to a master-like body, yet he faints from just a little wind and snow. Indeed, it is like the saying goes: 'like master, like servant', you are just as shameless and cunning as your master, you cheap and flirtatious fox spirit."

  "It's a pity that this trick has been used to death by that cheap woman Miao Ruo Shi. The palace already has one Miao Ruo Shi, and using the same trick will only make people disgusted."

  "If you want to win the emperor's favor, I advise you to think of other ways!"

  "With a body like a leftover flower, she actually has the face to enter the palace and serve as an imperial concubine. I really don't know how Zhou Renzhi taught his daughter!"

  "I heard you're an adopted daughter of the Zhou family. You had a good life as a young mistress, but instead of appreciating it, you came to the palace to cause trouble. You must not have any intention of living a peaceful life."

  "It's also true that buying one and getting one free gives the emperor more options, which means giving oneself more opportunities. It seems that Zhou Renzhi's clever plan is working well."

  "It's a pity that the book I bought is not good quality, dirty and unbearable, and the one given as a gift is even more unacceptable."

  The imperial concubine muttered to herself for a while, it's okay, I just need to listen to her scolding, no need to answer questions. Muyan, today I'm not not helping you out, let her scold as much as she wants, but this time if I make any mistakes, I'll die miserably, believe you can understand me, right?

  "In this imperial palace, who is the master and who is the subordinate, people with discerning eyes can all see it clearly. If someone accidentally takes a wrong step, not only will they bring about their own demise, but also disaster to their entire clan. Do you understand?"

  OMG, Empress Chun, aren't you happy speaking to yourself and answering your own questions? Why are you suddenly interacting with me? I'm deaf, should I hear your question or not? Should I answer it or not?!

  If I answered, it would prove that previously both Mu Yan and I were lying. This woman in front of me, with her power, might quietly get rid of me without anyone noticing. Even if my body is found later, no one will dare to come forward and point out that Princess Chen is the murderer.

  If she doesn't agree, I'm afraid with her fiery temper, at best she'll slap me, and at worst beat me to death, either way I'm done for.

  "Are you dumb?" The terrifying voice of the Empress Dowager rose again, her impatient tone tightly gripping my heart. "Thud thud", the sound of my heartbeat was as loud as surround speakers, rushing into my ears from all directions.

  "Bang", a amber-colored glass teacup flew from high above and smashed onto me, scalding hot tea splashed onto my hands, it hurts so much. The moment the cup hit the ground, it shattered into pieces instantly.

  What a mess! It's a complete and utter mess!

  I didn't dare to make a sound, so I could only look up at Consort Zheng, but her way of greeting was too unusual, and for a moment, I was speechless, not knowing what to say, my mind went blank, and I couldn't even remember her previous question.

  I didn't expect that my silly expression would bring a smile of satisfaction to Empress Chun's face.

  This was the first time I saw her smile so brightly, but what this brightness was, whether it was triumph or bitter disappointment, I couldn't tell for a moment.

  The imperial concubine pointed at me with her hand and then waved it, indicating that I should withdraw.

  I never thought it would be so easy to escape from that witch's clutches, it's unbelievably lucky, thanks to heaven for blessing me.

  There's just one thing I don't get, Zhen Fei clearly knew I was deaf, so why did she call another deaf person to listen to her scolding? Was it just for the sake of smashing a cup at me? Or does she find it particularly satisfying to yell at someone who can't hear her?

  I figured out these problems for a moment, but I don't want to think about it anymore. What's most important now is that I can leave.

  I wrote a letter, got up and walked out. Before I even reached the door of this house, I met that eunuch who brought me here again. His soft voice with gentle tone sounded really nauseating.

  "Your Highness, Zhou Zhaoyuan requests an audience!"

  Muyan has arrived! Although this is what I have been praying for a long time, but now I don't know if it's good luck or bad luck!

  Can't take care of so many things anymore, quickened his pace and walked out.

  "You, come back!" The Empress's command was firm and unyielding, allowing no room for hesitation.

  I'd better just pretend I didn't hear it and play along, otherwise everything we've done so far would be for nothing.

  I pretended not to hear any sound and continued walking, but the little eunuch who had been guarding the door was no longer patient, blocking my way, and two of them lifted me up and threw me heavily in front of Empress Zhen.

  Although I didn't raise my head, I also knew that Empress Zhen's gaze was fixed on me.

  "Call in that fox spirit!" The Empress only nodded at her eunuchs, who then led Mu Yan inside.